Is it happening in your community?

A treatment plant was constructed but it was primarily for the hotels and businesses that generated larger amounts of wastewater, the homes stayed on their own systems. 

Over the years there was the occasional talk of enlarging the plant and running the sewer mains out to the neighborhoods.  The estimated cost to do this was 38 million dollars, or about $9,000 per household.  Most homeowners felt this was an acceptable fee but it was one of those projects that never seemed to get started.   

However a few years ago a new Director of Public Works was hired and he began aggressively pushing the expansion plan.  But Marco has a fair number of professionals that realized they were going to be the ones paying for this project and have learned to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line…and they didn’t like what they saw. 

First they found the price had gone up considerably.  What started at 38 million dollars had now mysteriously ballooned to 105 million dollars ($50,000+ per home).  Another disturbing fact was their new Director of Public Works had been the senior vice president of the engineering firm that was given the contract to do the expansion.    

And when they began questioning the need for this expansion they were told septic systems had significantly damaged the waters around the Island and state/national water agencies were recommending no further use of septic systems.  However when the homeowners began researching on their own they found several contradictions: 

·        The water quality of Marco Island was not suffering.  In fact it was far better than many neighboring communities that had sewage treatment facilities.  

·        Sewage treatment facilities were not these perfect machines everyone thought they were and were responsible for accidentally discharging millions of gallons of sewage into oceans and rivers every year.  Even without accidents the water quality in areas where these plants were being used the water quality has been steadily declining.    

·        Septic systems on the other hand had improved to the point where many officials with the Environmental Protection Agency were now recommending them over centralized systems. 

Now the citizens of Marco Island have one heck of a fight on their hands to try and block the expansion project because they will be fighting city hall and big business.  But guess what…they have to fight it and every homeowner in America should pay attention to this battle. 

In the old days citizens would just let the city make the plans and pay their taxes (okay, maybe they grumbled a little).  But today it’s not just about money, it’s about the environment our children and grandchildren will be living in 20 years down the road.  If a treatment facility were the best option then I would be standing on their side of the fence.  But often they are not the best solution and can potentially add to massive pollution/destruction of our lakes, rivers and oceans. 

The fact is septic systems have evolved to the point where they will treat wastewater better than a multimillion dollar facility, but septic systems don’t generate cash for the city (they don’t treat your wastewater for free you know).  The question you need to ask is; if the city says they want to hook you up you may want to consider the real reason…is it to protect your health and the environment or a way to make money. 

However there is a catch; if you do elect to fight the big pipe the one thing you have to do is make sure that your system is brought up to the codes that are on the books today…not when the house was built!  Unfortunately most think their systems are grandfathered in and as long as the toilet flushes they will have to do nothing.  Wrong.  Grandfather clauses do not apply here, and this is a stipulation that most people don’t understand.        

But something you may want to factor into the equation; a septic system is going to be a lot cheaper than the big pipe.  Bonus round.       

NEWS FLASH-I was asked to speak before the Marco Island Taxpayers Association on the subject of septic systems in January.  While I was there I found a beautiful 3-bedroom home with a screened in pool for less than the cost of a hotel room.  I couldn’t believe it.  I brought my family back down and spent a week there.  It was one of the best vacations I have ever had (I may have to buy a house there). 

Somehow my wife managed to get about 20 pounds of sea shells we harvested from the beach into our suitcases and the kids are still sorting through them arguing who found which ones.  What a treat watching them. 

If you are getting tired of the snow, ice and cold you have to check this out.  Call Kelly at 239-210-8776.  If you mention “Jim the septic guy” she may even give you a discount.  Or check out

http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/7581.html  to see pictures. 

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